Natural Pet

Crunchy Nutrition Animals Will Love BY SANDRA MURPHY Despite their small size, sprouts pack a nutritional wallop with vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, antioxidants and protein. Dogs, birds, horses and even cats enjoy the crunch, as well as the health benefits. Cats Notorious for being picky eaters, cats might balk at sprouts being added to their regular diet. Rather than ... Read More »

Service Animals Train to Help People in Need BY SANDRA MURPHY Service dogs help an aging population live full lives in spite of limitations, no matter the size, age or breed of dog. Plus, hundreds of thousands of canines make living with disabilities both possible and more pleasant. The Rules “Service dogs don’t eat on duty, and should be on ... Read More »

Plus Other Tips to Keep a Dog Cancer-Free BY KAREN BECKER Cancer is the leading cause of canine fatalities in the U.S., Europe and Japan. Often diagnosed too late, the risks, heartache and expense of aggressive traditional treatments have many people searching for healthy alternatives. Although the causes are not well understood, we can give our companion the best possible ... Read More »

Each Species Grooves to Its Own Beat BY SANDRA MURPHY Just as dogs’ and cats’ noses are more efficient than ours, they also have better hearing, reacting to a broader and higher range of frequencies and vibrations. “We sense our world from where our ears are. Our plane is generally five to six feet high; animals closer to the ground ... Read More »

Why a Job is the Cat’s Meow Some cats started their careers in barns with minimal job opportunities. With updated skills, they now boost office morale, encourage reading, promote products and provide therapy. Community cats even work in private security. In the Office Millennials, now comprising a third of this country’s stressed-out labor force, according to the Pew Research Center ... Read More »

Excess in Food and Tap Water Harms Pets In 2009, an Environmental Working Group (EWG) study found that bone meal and animal byproducts in eight of 10 major national dog food brands contain fluoride in amounts between 1.6 and 2.5 times higher than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommended maximum dose in drinking water. Some fluoride from tap water ... Read More »

Finding the Right Dog for the Job SANDRA MURPHY Every dog needs a meaningful job. Like us, some need help figuring out what they want to be when they grow up; others choose their own specialty. With imagination and experimentation, even a problem pooch can became an unexpected blessing. Comforting Companions A 7-year-old hound and canine-style Houdini named Gumby was ... Read More »

10 Ways to Detox Your Dog PATRICIA JORDAN You know that mercury is bad for people. John Moore, a prominent 20th-century mercury and dental health researcher, regarded mercury as a ubiquitous contaminant of everything from plastics to concrete and medicine. But what about your dog? Pets also routinely encounter mercury and other toxic metals like aluminum and lead. For humans, ... Read More »

Six Remedies for Relief SHAWN MESSONNIER Joint disease, specifically arthritis, is a common problem in dogs and cats, especially as they age. The causes are many and include obesity, inflammation, immune dysfunction and normal wear and tear in joints. Conventional therapies include steroids, non-steroidal medications, analgesic medications to control pain and surgery, when applicable. Clinical signs of arthritis include joint ... Read More »